Portable fuel analyzer for the diagnosis of fuel-related problems on-site at the vehicle service bay

Abstract

Method and apparatus for diagnosing fuel-related problems at the site of vehicle servicing and matching fuels to new engine designs. Fuel properties associated with a fuel sample can be measured with mid-infrared analysis. The measured fuel property values can be compared with pre-determined preferred values for the fuel properties for the particular type of vehicle. Fuel-related problems can then be identified and diagnosed based upon this comparison, and the diagnosis can be immediately displayed for the operator. In one embodiment, driveability index can be determined in situ and in real time. In other embodiments, octane number, and Reid vapor pressure can be similarly determined.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A method for diagnosing potential fuel-related problems associated with a hydrocarbon fuel sample comprising the steps of: measuring a value for at least one fuel property associated with the sample through a mid-infrared analysis;   comparing the value measured for the fuel property with a pre-determined preferred value range for the fuel property for a particular vehicle;   diagnosing the fuel-related problem based upon the result of the comparison step; and   displaying a result of the diagnosis step.   
     
     
       2. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of wherein the step of measuring the value for the fuel property associated with the sample through mid-infrared analysis further comprises measuring the value for a driveability index associated with the sample. 
     
     
       3. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of measuring the value for the fuel property associated with the sample through mid-infrared analysis further comprises the steps of: illuminating the sample with mid-infrared light;   detecting a plurality of absorbance values associated with a plurality of fuel components in the sample;   correlating the detected absorbance values with a matrix of a plurality of pre-determined coefficients associated with the fuel components and a plurality of pre-determined values of the fuel property;   multiplying the detected absorbance values by the correlated pre-determined coefficients to obtain a plurality of absorbance-coefficient products; and   summing the absorbance-coefficient products to determine the value of the fuel property associated with the sample.   
     
     
       4. The method of claim 2 wherein the step of measuring the value for the fuel property associated with the sample through mid-infrared analysis further comprises the steps of: illuminating the sample with mid-infrared light;   detecting a plurality of absorbance values associated with a plurality of fuel components in the sample;   correlating the detected absorbance values with a matrix of a plurality of pre-determined coefficients associated with the fuel components and a plurality of pre-determined T10 values, a matrix of a plurality of pre-determined coefficients associated with the fuel components and a plurality of pre-determined T50 values, and a matrix of a plurality of pre-determined coefficients associated with the fuel components and a plurality of pre-determined T90 values;   multiplying the detected absorbance values by the correlated pre-determined coefficients to obtain a plurality of absorbance-coefficient products; and   summing the absorbance-coefficient products to determine a T10 value, a T50 value and a T90 value associated with the sample; and   determining the driveability index associated with the sample based upon the determined T10, the T50 and the T90 values.   
     
     
       5. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of measuring the value for the fuel property associated with the sample through mid-infrared analysis further comprises measuring the value for an octane number associated with the sample. 
     
     
       6. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of wherein the step of measuring the value for the fuel property associated with the sample through mid-infrared analysis further comprises measuring the value for a Reid vapor pressure associated with the sample. 
     
     
       7. An apparatus for diagnosing potential fuel-related problems associated with a hydrocarbon fuel sample comprising: a measurement means for measuring a value for at least one fuel property associated with the sample through a mid-infrared analysis;   a comparison means for comparing the value measured for the fuel property with a pre-determined preferred value range for the fuel property for a particular vehicle;   a diagnosis means for diagnosing the fuel-related problem based upon a result of the comparison; and   a display means for displaying a result of the diagnosis.   
     
     
       8. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein the measurement means further comprises means for determining driveability index. 
     
     
       9. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein the measurement means further comprises: a mid-infrared light source for illuminating the sample;   a detector for detecting a plurality of absorbance values associated with a plurality of fuel components in the sample;   a correlating means for correlating the detected absorbance values with a matrix of a plurality of pre-determined coefficients associated with the fuel components and a plurality of pre-determined values of the fuel property;   a multiplying means for multiplying the detected absorbance values by the correlated pre-determined coefficients to obtain a plurality of absorbance-coefficient products; and   a summing means for summing the absorbance-coefficient products to determine the value of the fuel property associated with the sample.   
     
     
       10. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the measurement means further comprises: a mid-infrared light source for illuminating the sample;   a detector for detecting a plurality of absorbance values associated with a plurality of fuel components in the sample;   a correlating means for correlating the detected absorbance values with a matrix of a plurality of pre-determined coefficients associated with the fuel components and a plurality of pre-determined T10 values, a matrix of a plurality of pre-determined coefficients associated with the fuel components and a plurality of pre-determined T50 values, and a matrix of a plurality of pre-determined coefficients associated with the fuel components and a plurality of pre-determined T90 values;   a multiplying means for multiplying the detected absorbance values by the correlated pre-determined coefficients to obtain a plurality of absorbance-coefficient products;   a summing means for summing the absorbance-coefficient products to determine a T10 value, a T50 value and a T90 value associated with the sample; and   a determination means for determining the driveability index associated with the sample based upon the determined T10, the T50 and the T90 values.   
     
     
       11. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein measurement means further comprises a means for determining octane number. 
     
     
       12. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein measurement means further comprises a means for determining Reid vapor pressure. 
     
     
       13. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the apparatus is a portable apparatus. 
     
     
       14. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the apparatus further comprises a casing for use in a service bay. 
     
     
       15. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the apparatus further comprises a data communication means for communicating with a remote computer. 
     
     
       16. An apparatus for matching a fuel to a new engine design comprising: a measurement means for measuring a value for at least one fuel property associated with the sample through a mid-infrared analysis;   a comparison means for comparing the value measured for the fuel property with a pre-estimated preferred value range for the fuel property for a new engine design;   a diagnosis means for diagnosing the fuel-related problem based upon a result of the comparison; and   a display means for displaying a result of the diagnosis.